OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present research was to investigate the epidemiological profile of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and to explore its potential dietary, behavioural and socio-economic ... [more ▼]

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present research was to investigate the epidemiological profile of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and to explore its potential dietary, behavioural and socio-economic determinants among European adults residing in Luxembourg. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, population-based ORISCAV-LUX survey. SETTING: European adults aged 18-69 years residing in Luxembourg. SUBJECTS: A total of 1349 Europid adults, who participated in the ORISCAV-LUX survey, were included in the study. The prevalence of MetS was estimated according to the Revised-Adult Treatment Panel (R-ATPIII) criteria. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify the dietary, behavioural and socio-economic factors independently associated with MetS. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of MetS was 24.7 % with significant gender difference (18.5 % for women v. 30.8 % for men, P < 0.0001). Age, male gender, primary level of education, physical inactivity, family history of diabetes and hypertension and inadequate protein intake were identified as significant determinants of MetS, after adjusting for other socio-economic, family medical history and lifestyle factors. CONCLUSIONS: MetS is a common condition among Europid adults in Luxembourg and increases dramatically with age, in both genders. Several dietary, socio-economic and behavioural factors explain the disparity observed. These findings highlight the importance of a comprehensive approach to MetS encompassing dietary, lifestyle and socio-economic aspects, both in clinical and community settings. [less ▲]

Objective The WHO recommends a daily Ca intake for postmenopausal women of 1300 mg. The objective of the present study was to assess the dietary Ca intake in European postmenopausal osteoporotic women ... [more ▼]

Objective The WHO recommends a daily Ca intake for postmenopausal women of 1300 mg. The objective of the present study was to assess the dietary Ca intake in European postmenopausal osteoporotic women. Design, setting and subjects Assessment of dietary Ca intake (food and supplements) was performed with a validated self-questionnaire in 8524 osteoporotic women from nine European countries (Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Spain and the UK). Results Mean age of the patients was 74·2 (sd 7·1) years, mean BMI was 25·7 (sd 4·2) kg/m2. Of the study population, 37·2 % of the women took Ca supplements. The mean dietary intake of Ca was 930·7 (sd 422·9) mg/d. The lowest Ca intake was found in Hungary (586·7 (sd 319·1) mg/d) and the highest in Denmark (1145·6 (sd 463·0) mg/d). In the whole study population, only 19·1 % of the women had a dietary Ca intake >1300 mg/d. Only 17·1 % of women aged over 75 years achieved 1300 mg/d compared with 20·5 % of women aged less than 75 years (P = 0·0001 for the difference between the two groups). Conclusion Dietary intake of Ca is very low in European postmenopausal women. A greater awareness is needed to resolve this public health problem. [less ▲]

DESIGN: Qualitative case study and mathematical model. SETTING: Belgium. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the correlation between the polyamine mean concentration of the milk drunk during the first postnatal month ... [more ▼]

DESIGN: Qualitative case study and mathematical model. SETTING: Belgium. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the correlation between the polyamine mean concentration of the milk drunk during the first postnatal month and the appearance of allergy in children who drank this milk. RESULTS: A model that describes the dependence of the allergy appearance with the spermine mean concentration of milk drunk during the first postnatal month was established. CONCLUSIONS: This model shows that 5.02 nmol ml(-1) of spermine is a critical value to prevent the appearance of allergy. [less ▲]